Director, Major Gifts

Latin American Youth Center (LAYC) is seeking an energetic, highly-organized candidate to fill the full-time position of Director, Major Gifts. This position is responsible for developing and managing all activities related to the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major and planned gift donors and building relationships on behalf of, and within, LAYC. We’re looking for someone who is strategic, mission-driven, team-oriented, and has a “can-do,” solution orientation. The Director, Major Gifts will be excited by working in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple priorities, and identifying innovative ways of increasing loyal contributions. The successful candidate will consider big-picture questions as well as analytical data as we build a deeper culture of philanthropy, taking a robust major and planned giving effort to the next level. This position will report to the President and CEO.

Essential duties and responsibilities:

Major Donor Relationships Management (85%)

Carry and develop a portfolio of donors and prospects to meet annual metrics for face-to-face visits, personal solicitations, and dollars raised.

Identify, cultivate, and solicit both new and existing donors with the capacity to give $5,000 to $25,000 or more annually.

Participate in the development of the strategy for and implementation of fundraising events aimed at the target donor group (e.g., events, house parties, tours, volunteer opportunities, etc.), including solicitation of event sponsors, guests, auction items, raffle items, and event participation.

Develop and maintain existing major and mid-level donors, initiate new donor relationships, and re-engage lapsed major donors.

Represent Latin American Youth Center through written and oral communication with the public.

Provide input on fundraising materials, including newsletters that are designed to appeal to your portfolio.

Support executive staff, board members, program directors, and other volunteers in all aspects of donor stewardship and solicitation; provide training/coaching as needed.

Stay current on overall knowledge of the organization, including LAYC news, in order to understand and explain LAYC programs and financial information to donors and the public.

Travel to donor meetings, special events, etc. within Washington D.C., Prince George’s County, and Montgomery County areas to identify, cultivate, and solicit both new and existing donors for LAYC.

Conduct follow-up from donor meetings on a timely basis, ensuring that up-to-date information is entered into DonorPerfect. Ensure that any donor requests from the meeting are followed up on within one week of the meeting (or within timeline requested).

Prospect by doing research and making phone calls to donors and financial advisors to develop a pipeline of long-term support. Identify donors who could be helpful in making introductions to new prospects for funding and/or in other areas that could assist LAYC. As needed, makes introductory calls and organize/implement meetings.

Create and implement cultivation and solicitation plans for major donors on a case-by-case basis using multiple touch points, including personal meetings, email, text, telephone, targeted mailings, invitations to LAYC functions, and other cultivation activities.

Department Administration (15%)

Contribute to preparing annual development activity and financial goals; prepare and submit quarterly and year-end reports, including key performance indicators and fundraising metrics, and other reports, as requested.

Conduct fund development and effectiveness analysis, including preparation of required monthly development report, presented to the CEO.

Supervise the Special Events Manager in planning, implementation, and analysis of major fundraising events (annual gala, breakfast fundraisers, etc.).

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree

Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience (including 2 years in a leadership role) in a nonprofit fund development setting

Proven experience with board-level volunteers and donors, in the acquisition of major gifts, and/or in community outreach

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Self-starter with excellent problem-solving, organization, and time management skills

Sound judgment, customer service/donor skills, and the ability to adapt successfully to complete multiple tasks in a rapidly changing environment

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of DonorPerfect preferred.

Ability to work with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail

Comfort making “cold calls” and effective solicitation skills

Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite

Ability to consistently meet deadlines and work effectively under pressure

Ability to work effectively both independently and as a member of a team

Positive and professional attitude, demeanor, and personal appearance

Ability to work some evenings, weekends, and special holidays, as needed

Valid driver’s license required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

This is largely a sedentary position that requires the ability to speak, hear, see, and lift small objects up to 10 lbs. May require the ability to travel locally and/or regionally.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the individual(s) assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other duties as necessary. In addition, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.